A luxury development in London which boasts a top-class concierge service and famous residents has been ordered to pay compensation to four employees after they were sacked for supporting a WhatsApp group.

The four men had submitted thumbs-up emojis when the WhatsApp group was set up to call for an investigation into the behaviour of senior members of staff at The Knightsbridge.

Some members of staff were unhappy with the way an employee who died from a heart attack had been treated, claiming managers had contributed to his death by the way they had behaved towards him.

Apartments at The Knightsbridge occupied by wealthy residents, have views over Hyde Park and are only a short distance from Harrods. Facilities there include a spa and swimming pool, and a valet parking service is offered to residents returning home.

Unfairly dismissed

An employment tribunal awarded amounts between £14,900 and £21,950 to the men who worked in the concierge and security services. They had a minimum of six years’ service each, and one was a junior manager.

The management firm that employed the four men, Knightsbridge Residents Management Company, said they breached its policies on social media and the sackings were justified. Appeals by three of the men against their dismissals were rejected.

But tribunal Judge McGrade disagreed and said there was a difference between a private WhatsApp messaging group and social media.

“I am satisfied all four claimants were unfairly dismissed,” he said.

Read the judgement in full.